Hemant Soren informed the ED that his statement can be recorded on January 20 (File)
In the backdrop of protests against the Enforcement Directorate's summons to Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, Governor CP Radhakrishnan on Wednesday said the ED is doing its duty and the Chief Minister should provide the right answers to the probe agency.
Speaking to reporters at the ICFAI University convocation ceremony, the governor emphasised that no chief minister is above the law.
According to sources, the ED had sent a letter to Mr Soren on January 13 asking him to be available for questioning between January 16 and January 20 in connection with a money laundering case related to an alleged land scam. In response, Mr Soren informed the ED that his statement can be recorded on January 20.
When asked about concerns regarding the law and order situation on January 20, Mr Radhakrishnan said, "Why would the law and order situation be affected? The ED is simply doing its duty. It is the chief minister's responsibility to provide the appropriate answers to the agency." Regarding the alleged anger among the public over the ED summons, the governor questioned, "Why should the public be angry? If you want to become a leader, you must be prepared to provide answers."
On Tuesday, JMM spokesperson Supriyo Bhattacharya had told reporters that there is anger among people over the action of ED.
To oppose the ED summons, the JMM had called for a nine-hour bandh in Sahebganj on Wednesday during which ruling party workers disrupted traffic and forced shops to close in various parts of the city and other areas of the district, including Barhait, which is the chief minister's assembly constituency.
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